A DISABLED mum is being forced to live like a prisoner in her own home by gangs of rampaging youngsters allegedly brandishing claw hammers and bricks.

Former soldier Andrew Shaw, 30, has now had to move in with his mother, Pat Gormley, who is living in terror behind closed doors because of the youths she claims are making her life a misery.

Mr Shaw told the Weekly News that on Sunday morning they could hear youngsters kicking a football hard against the wall. But the real trouble began when he went out and asked them to stop.

He says the youngsters returned to his mother's house with claw hammers and started bashing the wall and hurling foul-mouthed abuse at them as a 'parting gesture'.

Mr Shaw said his mother, a widow who is disabled with severe arthritis, is now terrified to live at home alone because of repeated vandalism attacks by young thugs of primary school age.

He alleged youth gangs were behind a number of recent attacks on his mum's home which have included bricks, bottles, stones and tree branches being thrown at the building while she was still inside.

He also claimed that young thugs have smashed the front gate, vandalised cars in the area and tried to rip his mum's cable TV cable off the wall.

He said: 'We don't mind kids playing football in the street but we do mind it when they deliberately boot the ball hard against the wall. When you ask them to stop this is what happens.

'This was at about 10.50am on Sunday and involved a gang of about 10 aged between nine and 11.

'They came back with claw hammers and started smacking the wall.

'I chased the kids and got the hammers off them and took them to their parents. But they just didn't want to know.

'I told them I would call the police but when they arrived they just said that we would have to shut the door and put up with it. What about harassment, breach of the peace and criminal damage?'

He added: 'My car was recently vandalised by youths in this area. I was driving towards Montgomery Road but there was a gang of kids on BMXs blocking the road. I got out and said 'Can you move out of the way?'.

'They followed me to my mum's house and circled me when I pulled up. When I came back out there were scratches all over my car and one of the wheeltrims had been nicked.

'My mum is nearly 60 and is disabled with arthritis. She lives in a council house but when we complained we were given a piece of paper and told to write down details of anything that happens. But she has been doing this for the last four years. It is so frustrating.

'I am really concerned for my mum. She has not long since lost my dad and now she feels she can't go out. She dreads every noise outside.

'I have had to move into the house myself now, she is so afraid.'

A Halton Borough Council spokesman said: 'Criminal behaviour such as damaging property is a matter for the police to investigate. However, the council will take action through tenancy agreements if those responsible are council tenants.

'If those causing the nuisance are children and their parents or carers are council tenants then action can be taken against the parents or carers through their tenancy agreement.

'Clearly, if we are going to proceed with formal action against tenants we need information including details of incidents as well as names and addresses in writing.

'The complainant in this case was advised to provide us with such evidence.'